Brick Baseball League feeds hurricane victims

Nov. 8, 2012

Members of the Brick American Baseball League have worked to supply food, clothing, toys and supplies to families in need after Hurricane Sandy. Bill Smith, a coach in the league, gets meals together for delivery. / Bob Bielk/Staff photographer

Written by

Nicholas Huba

@nicholashuba

Brick, NJ-1/6/12- Hurricane Sandy Relief-Bob Bielk/ Asbury Park Press Staff Photographer: Members of the Brick American Baseball League in Brick, NJ have been working for the last 3 days to supply food, clothing, toys and supplies to families in need in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Erica Delatore (left), 15 and Alex Mackanic, 17, students at Brick Memorial HS, sort donated clothing.

HOW TO HELP

Take donations of food or clothes to the Brick American Baseball League complex, 2000 Lanes Mills Road. For more information, call (732) 458-8127.

Top: Erica Delatore (left), 15, and Alex Mackanic, 17, who are students at Brick Memorial High School, sort donated clothing. Left: Ray Mannon, a coach in the Brick American Baseball League, works the grill. / Bob Bielk/Staff photographer

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BRICK — Concession stand manager Cindy Mannon knew she had to do something to help others once the Brick American Baseball League Complex had its power restored.

Since Friday, league members have served hot meals to people without power. The league’s Lanes Mills Road complex is filled with boxes of donations of clothing and food.

“Friday, when we got our power back, we had an idea to try to help out the people who are in need,’’ Mannon said. “Word started to get around, and I never thought it would turn into something like this. It’s amazing to see the outpouring of support from people.’’

During the storm, most of the township lost power, and countless homes in low-lying areas such as Shore Acres were destroyed.

League members have cooked and distributed about 4,000 meals, said Tom Nerney, president of the league. The group prepares breakfast, lunch and dinner. The meals range from a bagel sandwich for breakfast to chicken Parmesan for dinner. The meals are prepared from donations that the group receives.

“I just can’t believe the way the community has rallied,’’ Nerney said. “We have never gone through anything like this in this town. Out of something bad comes something good. Sandy was bad but I think that everyone learned something from it.’’

For 17-year old Erick Alvarez, the complex has been the only place that he could get a hot meal over the last couple of days. Alvarez, a resident of Sawmill Road, has had no power since the storm hit last week.

“I’m hoping to get power back later today,’’ Alvarez said Tuesday as he ate breakfast. “It’s been great that they have done this. I’m so thankful. They have been so nice.’’

Members of the league also have delivered meals to people who are unable to get to the facility.

“There are seniors in the area that don’t have power and a warm meal,’’ said Jeanette Smith, a 40-year-old member of the league. “We are trying to do our best to help out the people who are in the greatest need. If they can’t get here, we will try to get to them.’’

Over the last couple of days, former members of the league have come back to help with recovery efforts, said Mannon, the concession stand manager.

“If there is a good thing to come out of this situation, it’s to see the kids who went through this league come back and help out,’’ Mannon said. “We have not seen some of these kids for years, and they have come back to help us. It’s a great feeling to see what they have become.’’